TG USA Episode 3 thread. Why not?

Dayum... y'all are some picky mofo's. we finally get a steak served just right on a platter and y'all are complaiing because it's not a porterhouse.

The show is good. is it TGUK? Nope. Never will be. The guys are entertaiing, they are getting better at their delivery and they are startting to come together. Maybe I'm just not as picky as some of you, or maybe I don't have the same unrealistic standards for a TV Show. All I know is it's a good show, has some cars in it and is entertaining. For me to stay up that late to watch it is is goo.

I got bored during the moonshine segment and turned it off. It wasn't that funny and there was no information to be gleaned, so why not go to bed?

If they want to do stuff like that, why not weave it in with more substantial segments? Throw it out there in several pieces. Don't just do a detuned version of "thrillbillies". There's plenty of vehicles for random hoonage.

Funny, I think Adam saves the show. Rutledge is thus far not good. Tanner can at least drive. I'm actually hopeful for him- get that boy a sense of humor and he might be a pillar.

I actually like Rutledge more than the others. (Of course, I like James May better than the other two in the UK version)

Bobzilla wrote: Dayum... y'all are some picky mofo's. we finally get a steak served just right on a platter and y'all are complaiing because it's not a porterhouse. The show is good. is it TGUK? Nope. Never will be. The guys are entertaiing, they are getting better at their delivery and they are startting to come together. Maybe I'm just not as picky as some of you, or maybe I don't have the same unrealistic standards for a TV Show. All I know is it's a good show, has some cars in it and is entertaining. For me to stay up that late to watch it is is goo.

Sad part is that this is like the 4th/5th thread of people whining about it.

I agree, damn good TV.

I liked it. The interview segment needs to get better though, none of them have really ever "connected" with a guest.

I'm holding out hope for next weeks Kid Rock segment. I've read that other guests for this season include Tim Allen, Bret Michaels, and Tony Hawk. At least SOME of those has to be entertaining right?

Stig didn't test a car around the track. Rutledge seems to be a bit awkward in his jokes, but I like the show.

Bruce

JoeyM wrote: I actually like Rutledge more than the others. (Of course, I like James May better than the other two in the UK version)

See, I like James best too, but Rutledge just seems like a dork who doesn't know anything. I'm all for dorks, but at least have some passion for the subject matter.

dean1484 wrote: My problem with the new TG2 is Tanner. His TV persona has always bugged me. Hence just about every TV show he does I just can not watch. He needs his TV persona re made. I dont blame him for this I believe it is a casting rut that he needs to get out of. I have tried to sit through the show 2x now and have never made it to the second commercial brake. Hay I know why not bring the original hosts on TG2 every now and then as guests? Not that I am any fan of Clarkson but a good verbal beat down from him would at least get me to watch. I also think it is an age problem. The cast of TG1 are all about my age where as the cast of TG2 are much younger. The cars that TG1 reviews are ones that their audience can afford. TG2 seems to be geared (bad pun) towards a much younger audience hence the type of cars they review are what they are.

This is why I related better to the TG1 crew, they are closer to my age. They remember the cars, music, etc. I remember. FYI: I love May's interview and agree with him how men are becoming fashionably helpless.

Its like Walmart decided to do a car show. Very low class humor, imagination and host. I stopped watch yesterdays. It would have been more entertaining to go to Walmart and watch the actual funny people and situations.

I actually don't have a problem with Rutledge. Don't know what he brings to the show other than dorkiness but I'm ok with that because I don't know what the quido brings either.

I don't hate the show but we ALL want it to be great and hope it grows into more than it is. As such I think a little gnashing of teeth is par for the course.

Teh E36 M3 wrote: See, I like James best too, but Rutledge just seems like a dork who doesn't know anything. I'm all for dorks, but at least have some passion for the subject matter.

Que? He diagnosed a stuck thermostat, and fixed it with a pen and a rock on the side of the road. How does GRM not approve?!?!??

vazbmw wrote: Its like Walmart decided to do a car show. Very low class humor, imagination and host. I stopped watch yesterdays. It would have been more entertaining to go to Walmart and watch the actual funny people and situations.

Just out of curiosity, did you see the episode where the 3 lads drove cars from Miami to New Orleans? Did you consider that as great humor? I thought most of that was steryotypical, and quite poor. Call it H&M humor. Same thing as Walmart, but with a Brit accent.

This is like the first week back to school in a new classroom. Don't know what to expect, how it will turn out, and the answer will unfold over time.

Javelin wrote:

Teh E36 M3 wrote: See, I like James best too, but Rutledge just seems like a dork who doesn't know anything. I'm all for dorks, but at least have some passion for the subject matter.

Que? He diagnosed a stuck thermostat, and fixed it with a pen and a rock on the side of the road. How does GRM *not* approve?!?!??

Must give that one to you. I haven't watched E3 yet- don't have cable and History just posted E3. I wish he would act like he knows what's going on though. I don't get that James is clueless by any stretch. I suppose Rut is the "James" character- hey if you know what you're talking about- talk passionately about it. The others will shut you up if you get too crazy.

I enjoyed it. There were plenty of funny bits. I actually like Adam probably the most but they seem to feature him the least. Tanner is pretty boring and to me is the biggest problem with the show right now.

I will watch it tonight, as I worked late on sunday and missed it. So far I like it enough to hold me over till TGUK comes back Jan 23.

Javelin wrote:

Teh E36 M3 wrote: See, I like James best too, but Rutledge just seems like a dork who doesn't know anything. I'm all for dorks, but at least have some passion for the subject matter.

Que? He diagnosed a stuck thermostat, and fixed it with a pen and a rock on the side of the road. How does GRM *not* approve?!?!??

Muddy puddle water.. It's fine, it's an 87!

Javelin wrote:

Teh E36 M3 wrote: See, I like James best too, but Rutledge just seems like a dork who doesn't know anything. I'm all for dorks, but at least have some passion for the subject matter.

Que? He diagnosed a stuck thermostat, and fixed it with a pen and a rock on the side of the road. How does GRM *not* approve?!?!??

You know, that really is a very good point. Conceded, but he has yet to talk like an enthusiast.

alfadriver wrote:

vazbmw wrote: Its like Walmart decided to do a car show. Very low class humor, imagination and host. I stopped watch yesterdays. It would have been more entertaining to go to Walmart and watch the actual funny people and situations.

Just out of curiosity, did you see the episode where the 3 lads drove cars from Miami to New Orleans? Did you consider that as great humor? I thought most of that was steryotypical, and quite poor. Call it H&M humor. Same thing as Walmart, but with a Brit accent.

Blasphemy! How dare you question the humor of the Holy Trinity!

I find this kind of unrealistic and negative behavior very common among serious gearheads. These are the same guys that whine about manufacturers not making a 2000lb, 200hp NA 911 RS replica and are baffled as to how that would not sell. You do not make up even 0.1% of the customer base. Not to mention most people are not willing to compromise like your crazy dire needs to have a daily driver that can survive VIR. A price tag of 20k would be nice as well right?

Regardless, this is a show in its very infant stages. We are witnessing history, and I can sure as hell tell you that TGUK's first 3 episodes were not amazing either. I do not recall Richard H ever mentioning the bore of an Enzo block, or the caster and spring rates of a GT3RS. You do realise that for this show to be successful it has to have MASS APPEAL?! How many more copies of R&T do you think are sold than Racecar Engineering, 1:10,000? 1:1,000,000? This is coming from an engineering student.

What I see, is a great effort at an entertaining show that revolves around automotive culture and that is not related to Nascar. A very rare treat in North America. While I love to watch F1 with my engineering buddies and dissect every aspect, the reality is this kind of show I can watch with anyone. We can all enjoy it in different regards. At the least, I have seen Tanner man handle a Viper with great camera work and a blind man drift. Its great and a hell of a job for a first attempt. Not to mention its a bit more relevant. I dont give a damn about a Focus RS500, not until I see one available in a local dealership.

On a side note: Gymkhana Grid Live was awesome. Hella flush or not, ricer or not, fact is its facilitating motorsports in my generation. While I do not share the same tastes in style as my peers (my car has 3 modifications: HP+ for daily or HT10s for trackwork, brake ducts and v710s), I see that we are getting more guys into the sport, and that gives me a higher chance to convert them

Not to mention as a guy who autocrosses at least once a month, I can sure as hell tell you its pretty cool to see what they do. I cant consistently slide an STi through a chicago box like that. Flashy or not, its talent.

Happy motoring all. Stoked for the next episode

I'm trying to be open minded, but so far I've thought the shows have been 20% entertaining and 80% lame.

The flying Caddy was great, but not worth sitting through an hour of drivel. (Okay, 30 minutes - I fast-forwarded some of the slower parts, and all of the commercials)

Am I the only one who is appalled that those were the best cars they could find for $1000?

neon4891 wrote: I will watch it tonight, as I worked late on sunday and missed it. So far I like it enough to hold me over till TGUK comes back Jan 23.

The first two episodes of Series 16 will be aired on Dec. 21 and Dec. 26. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Top_Gear_episodes#Series_Sixteen

No. I found it quite entertaining. Some of you just have some unreal expectations..... but then again it's the same crowd that thinks the perfect car is a Miata for all situations.

Javelin wrote:

Teh E36 M3 wrote: See, I like James best too, but Rutledge just seems like a dork who doesn't know anything. I'm all for dorks, but at least have some passion for the subject matter.

Que? He diagnosed a stuck thermostat, and fixed it with a pen and a rock on the side of the road. How does GRM *not* approve?!?!??

Thank you. That's at least as cool as Hong Knorr "fixing" a broken suspension at Lowe's so they could get home after the Challenge.